Communication Barriers - Notes
Communication Barriers - Notes
Communication Barriers - Notes
14 Communication Strategies to
Overcome Communication Barriers in
the Workplace
February 25, 2020
Effective communication in the workplace can have a significant impact on nearly every aspect of a company's
productivity and success. Understanding potential communication barriers, as well as communication strategies to
overcome them, can help you be a more effective employee and promote successful communication at work. In this
article, learn what communication strategies are, different types of communication barriers to be aware of and 14
strategies to improve communication at work.
• Verbal communication: This type of communication can include oral communication such as speaking,
video chatting and phone calls. Verbal communication also encompasses written communication such as
letters, texts and email.
• Nonverbal communication: This form of communication applies to the ways in which we communicate
nonverbally such as through body language, visual cues and facial expressions. Tone of voice is also
considered a nonverbal communication and can play a role in how your communication is received.
Nonverbal communication may also be referred to as behavioral communication.
• Visual communication: This type of communication is when something is communicated visually. For
example, a website may visually communicate with users through infographics, illustrations and text. Another
example is when a workplace communicates with its employees via an announcement board or through
safety-related signs throughout the office.
Communication strategies can be implemented in all forms of communication to improve how well information is
understood and received.
For example, if someone sends a text message to their manager telling them they won't be into work that day, the
manager may perceive this as unprofessional. But, if the person calls and personally speaks with the manager about
missing work, the manager is likely to be more receptive to this method of communicating an absence.
The following are types of communication barriers that can arise in the workplace and make effective communication
more challenging:
• Physical barriers: This type of communication barrier can refer to the physical layout of the workplace
(separate work areas, closed office doors) as well as the perceived territories within an office space. For
example, if all of the supervisors work in one area of an office, other employees may feel intimidated when
approaching this area and as a result avoid the area.
• Emotional barriers: Emotional communication barriers are those that result from emotions such as mistrust
and fear. For example, if a person fears their manager, they are much more likely to interpret communications
with the manager in a negative and close-minded way.
• Language barriers: Language barriers are barriers that refer to how a person speaks both verbally and
nonverbally. Examples of language barriers include using jargon, unfamiliar expressions and abbreviations. It
can also include written and verbal language used to communicate.
Implementing communication strategies in the workplace can help to overcome any communication barriers and
increase the effective transmission of information.